UPDATE: Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire: A Novel of the coming Third World War

Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire ^ | 30 November 2001 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Joanie-f and Dukie had been so kind to post a couple of earlier atticles regarding the novel:

DRAGON'S FURY-BREATH OF FIRE.

Folks can read excerpts and information about the book and myself, as well as order the book at the above site. But, getting back to things, I want to thank Joanie-f and Dukie for their involvement in helping with the novel and their announcements/posts on FR, and I want to thank Jim Robinson for kindly allowing us to announce the novel here and update folks.

That's more or less what this thread is ... an update on the status of the novel. So here's a few points that should provide the update to those on FR who have taken an interest.

1. The novel is now selling on the web site in four versions, Adobe Ebook, MSoft Reader Ebook and Activ Ebook and in the Printed Trade Paperback form.
2. The initial printing of Trade Paperbacks sold out, but the next order is in and they will arrive late this week or the week after. To date, all told, we have sold something on the order of 150.
3. For those desiring to ORDER a book for Christmas, you will need to get your orders in now for them to arrive before the big day.
4. Two distribution channels are now carrying the book, Lightning Source and Content Reserve. They provide the book (Ebook and Print) to various Online and Brick-and-mortat bookstores. Amazon and Barnes and Nobles uses them for Ebooks as do a number of others. One, run by our own FReeper, Marak, is KBSBooks who is featuring the Ebook now. Another, PocketPCPresss will be featuring the MSReader Ebook very soon.
5. Doug at PocketPCPress has been very instrumental in introducing me and the novel to a number of potential agents. PocketPCPress also has provided a very indepth edit/proff of the book which is now the source of the latest manuscript. Doug is extremely "up" on the novel and has been a GREAT blessing and answer to prayer.
6. As a result of that activity, an agent from Waterside Productions has picked up the book and is currently representing it to numerous large Publishing houses including Putnam, Random House, Warner, Harper Collins, etc. We sent out five new manuscripts on Thursday which will be going to specific editors at these places who have requested them as a result of the agent's contacts.
7. I am moving forward, barring a large publishing contract, to continue promoting and spreading the word about "Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire" on my own.
8. RadioFR will be interviewing me on Thursday evening regarding the book. During that interview a couple of exciting things will happen"
   • One of the books (Printed, hot off the press) will be given away.
   • An announcement regarding donations to FreeRepublic from sales of the book will be made.

Now, after having said all of that, here's a couple of the latest comments from folks who have already read the book who either emailed or FRemailed me regarding their experience:

When I read the excerpts and the reviews, I knew I had to get this book.

So, I bought and read the Adobe EBook and it was great! I found myself alternating between reading this thing and listening to the current world affairs on the news and really wondering if things depicted in the novel were about to happen. Anyone who likes military/political thrillers should get this book. Can't wait for Volume II.

---

I just finished it and found it facinating! Really pulled me along.

Finished it in two nights, reading on a laptop, which I don't enjoy doing. I still think the US would/should have hit those airbases the day after the "ceasefire." We could have drummed up some excuse about an imminent surprise attack.

I will definately purchase the rest of the series (hardcopy!). Good Luck

There are a lot more on the web site. For information from someone in the business, here's the outstanding review by Doug from PocketPCPress after he's requested the full manuscript and completed it:

My company, PocketPCpress, gets to see a ton of novel submissions. Most are truly terrible...which is sad. We wish it weren't so.

We recently had the good fortune to read Dragon's Fury-Breath of Fire by Jeff Head and -- for the first time in a long, long while -- we were absolutely knocked out.

Don't be mislead by the fact that -- for now -- this is a self-published book offered only on the author's website. I'm sure this won't be the case for long. This is an amazingly accomplished, professional, techno-thriller that will make you turn page after page after page -- and enjoy every minute of it.

I could go on about plotting and characterization and all that, but I won't. This is simply a hellava great read and "right on" about what's happening in the world today. Tom Clancy now has some serious, serious competition.

So, that's the latest update.

Let me say one other thing. It's not easy to explain how this all came about. I can only say that I have never written a novel before. My career has been in engineering and I was raised on a small ranch. But, I felt driven to write this book, a fcitional tale about the very real globall dangers in the post cold-war era that we all live in.

In making the decision to finish it, I took a leap of faith after losing my job a few days after the 9/11 horror. Rather than continue consulting, or looking for another engineering job ... we decided to spend our savings and means on getting this book out and devoting ourselves to it. It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of learning experience, humbling and engorssing all at the same time.

I make no bones about tit. The book has a message. Although we hope that message is couched in a captivating and enjoyable story ... it nonetheless is a story about liberty and our Constitutional Republic and the principles upon which it is founded ... and how during the most severe trials, the heart and soul of America is tested, tried and proven.

Anyhow, there you have it. Once more, thanks particularly to Joanie-f, Dukie, Lurker, harpsel, Travis McGee, sneakypete and Lusi Gonzales for their parts in assisting. ... thanks to Jim for allowing us to periodically update the FR community, thanks to my family (wife, kids, parents, in--laws, brothers) ... and most of all, thanks to God in Heaven for the rights we enjoy, including our liberty.

[Jeff Head]

I'll hit the hay soon after posting and bumping this and will be out most of the day tomorrow. I'll try and answer each post later tomorrow and on Monday when I am back online.

Best regards to all.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, latest update.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, latest update.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, latest update.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, latest update.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, latest update.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, latest update.

[america76]

Read the excerpts. I'll tell ya' they're pretty good. I've never been much of a fiction fan myself but I think I could spend a few nights with this one. I'm not familiar with ebooks. I've got windows 98 and, I think, explorer 5. I want the executable version so I don't have to download any other stuff. Am I going to be ok or are the other versions any better? Get back to me when you can.

[Jeff Head]

The Active Ebook is just fine. It has no "Bookmark" capability, so you have to remember where you left off. Other than that, it's just fine though.

Adobe and Microsoft have a lot of bells and whistles and they are setting up a lot of online stores with their software. But the software is free anyway and if you find something you just have to have and it's not available in something like this, you can download it then.

Hope you enjoy it, that it is engrossing, compelling, thought provoking and a fun read for you ... if it is, let others know.

Best wished during the holidays.

Regards.

[GeekDejure]

BUMP !!! . Way Ting Fur Fon Nix Tea Chur Sew Eye Kin Ree Jurb Ook !!! ;-))

[sneakypete]

Looks like I'm finally going to be able to say,"Yup,I knew him when...."

[IronJack]

I'll be ordering the printed version for Christmas. Congratulations, Jeff, on the book itself and on your continued success in selling it.

[Luis Gonzalez]

You are rollig now!

Ordering my copy today.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Of course, that SHOULD have been "rolling" not "rollig"...gotta keep away from those Bacardi and Coke Saturday nights...

[SuperLuminal]

Good news bump.

[TLBSHOW]

I just found my copy in the mailbox. Looks like a great book. Will read it the next few days. And then on Thursday I will give it away to a lucky caller to the TLBSHOW on RadioFR.

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS.

Jeff Head Live on TLBSHOW Dec 6th 2001
9PM Eastern Time on RADIOFR

[Jeff Head]

eryvay oodgay!

an'tcay aitway orfay ouryay ommentscay.

egardsray!

[Jeff Head]

I'd be satisifed with, "He's just an ordinary kind of guy ... nothing special at all and he never changed, success or failure."

You hould have your copy Monday or Tuesday, if not already.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks! Looking forward to your order and to your thoughts regarding the book.

Hope it is enjoyable and an engrossing read for you.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks Luis, I look forward to the order and I look forward to your comments on the entire work.

Lot's of good things going on with this since you took a look and gave your gracious input.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.